The Vancouver Rise have received reinforcements with the recent addition of two defenders. The Northern Super League team has signed Chantelle Swaby and Kaela Hansen, enhancing their squad ahead of a crucial match against the Halifax Tides this weekend.
Chantelle Swaby, previously with Leicester City in the Women’s Super League, and Kaela Hansen, who played for NSL side AFC Toronto, bring valuable skills to the team as they aim to position themselves for a playoff spot. Head coach Anja Heiner-Moller praised the attributes each player brings, highlighting Swaby’s physicality and confidence on the field and Hansen’s eagerness to contribute and adapt to the team’s style of play.
With experience in various leagues, including the National Women’s Soccer League, the Scottish Women’s Premier League, and France’s top division, Swaby, aged 28, provides a calm and vocal presence on the backline during intense game moments.
For Hansen, 26, joining the Rise marks a return home to Burnaby, B.C., where she is excited to play in front of a local crowd and be near her family once again. These signings come after the retirement of Mariah Lee, who chose to pursue law school in New York, leading to goalkeeper Kirstin Tynan being loaned to the Halifax Tides for the remainder of the season.
As the defending champions of the NSL, the Vancouver Rise (5-9-1) are striving to secure a playoff berth, trailing Halifax (6-6-3) by five points. Forward Jessica De Fillippo emphasized the team’s determination to reach the playoffs and demonstrate their competitiveness throughout the season to fans and the league.
The upcoming matches are crucial for the Rise as they aim to make a strong postseason push and showcase their capabilities to contend for the championship once again.